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One of the things that can make vaping pretty confusing when you are starting out is all the different names for the devices. RDA’s, RTA’s and more recently RDTA’s have been building in popularity. Do Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizers, give you the “best of both worlds”?.

Think of an RDTA atomizer as a cross between a tank and an a dripper. Instead of only holding juice within the cotton and juice wells, it’s essentially a dripper sitting on top of a reservoir of e-liquid. The wicks hang down into the tank and feed the juice to the coil as you are vaping.

RDTA’s are based off the Genesis style of atomizers which were popular for their flavor. Traditionally stainless steel mesh was used for wicking, but since has been replaced primarily with organic cotton. RDTA’s are a throwback, but at the same time, they are also cutting edge.

Another advantage of using RDTA’s is that they are often times easy to fill, despite not holding a ton of liquid. Instead of unscrewing it apart like a tank, most rebuildable dripping tank atomizers pop open like a dripper (by pulling off the top cap) so that you can fill it up or use it as an RDA.

The problem with RTA’s

Many rebuildable tank atomizers, aka RTA’s are great, but you’ll never get the same experience on one versus that of a dripper because of the few extra millimeters that the vapor has to travel through the chimney. This can make a world of difference, believe it or not. Hence the RDTA…

Let’s rewind a few years back to when you could only get this type of performance from a tank. Since then, some impressive RTA’s have come out, but are still outshined by most RDA’s. For years, vapers have strived to attain that seemingly impossible “dripper in a tank” experience.

Rebuildable dripping tank atomizers were the industry’s answer to this desire. On an RDTA, the mouthpiece sits right on top of the coils, just like an RDA. Unlike a tank, the vapor doesn’t travel through a chimney, it’s the same proximity to your mouth as it would be on an average dripper.

The Genny lean?

Many RDTA users have found themselves doing this, and no it isn’t a new hip-hop dance craze. The Genny lean, is tilting your RDTA on an angle when puffing on it, to ensure that the cotton gets saturated, especially when your tank is running low. Back when Genesis atomizers were more popular, this was a common tactic used to combat those dry hits you would otherwise get.

5 Tips for building/wicking RDTA’s:

1. Comb and fluff your wicks before vaping
2. Don’t be cheap, use a good amount of cotton
3. Don’t use too much cotton or dry hit city
4. Experiment with where you like to cut your wicks
5. Don’t build your coils too high or too low

Even the best RDTA tanks require some trial and error to attain the perfect build and wicking. Experiment with different builds and techniques to find out which one is best for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the best RDTA atomizers available on the market today…

Best RDTA’s of 2017

Aromamizer Plus RDTA

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Pros

Great flavor

Spacious deck

Holds 20 mL of juice

Versatile

Airflow intake screen

Cons

Won’t sit right on most mods

Uses a lot of o-rings

Threading could be better

Specifications

Glass tank

10 mL juice capacity

510 threading connection

Two big airflow control slots on the sleeve

New air intake screen design to both improve flavor and reduce the effects of coil spitting

Spacious postless build deck with capacity for coils of over 6mm internal diameter

The uncompromising Aromamizer flavor experience

The Aromamizer was one of the first rebuildable atomizers to take the title of an RDTA and is still one of the best RDTA’s to this day. Today we have the Aromamizer Plus RDTA which is a 30mm beast of a tank that can hold up to 20 mL of juice! It also has a postless deck which can hold coils with an inner diameter of up to 6mm.

One of the main things that has been enhanced from the original Aromamizer RDTA’s is the airflow. Other improvements include added juice flow control, which is becoming standard on most rebuildable tanks, and less condensation than any of the previous Aromamizer RDTA’s.

The Aromamizer Plus RDTA is massive, but can be converted to be either a 5 mL tank, 10 mL tank or a regular RDA, by using the extension kit. Last but not least, the new airflow intake screen helps to not only improve flavor, but also reduces spitback.

Price

~ $28

Wotofo Serpent RDTA (Single-coil)

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Pros

Good flavor/vapor production

For single coil use

Fits larger coils

Drip tip adapter included

Cons

No dual coil option

Not easy to fill with a dropper bottle

Specifications

Available Color: Black

Silver

Material: Glass

Stainless Steel

Tank Capacity: 2.5

Thread: 510

The original Wotofo Serpent make quite a splash by striking the perfect balance between flavor and cloud production. The Serpent RDTA brings that same great flavor in an RDTA-style device. Made of stainless steel, the Wotofo Serpent RDTA uses Goon-esque clamps on your coil build.

Just like the RTA version, the Serpent RDTA is specifically designed for single coil use only. You can fit macro coils with an inner diameter of up to 3.5mm inside. The vapor production is also quite impressive for a single coil atomizer. The Serpent RDTA is for flavor chasing single coilers.

The Wotofo Serpent is a 22mm device, which are becoming extinct these days. The dual fill ports are very easy to use. The side airflow design feeds air straight down to the coils which maximizes flavor. Last but not least, the Wotofo Serpent RDTA is extremely resistant to leaking.

Price

~ $20

Augvape Merlin RDTA

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Pros

Good flavor

Self-sealing design

Comfortable mouthpiece

Supports larger coil builds (3.5mm)

Good machining quality

5 mL capacity

Cons

Condensation (from sealing rod)

Juice flow slots require a lot of cotton

Spare glass and extra screws not included

Not ideal with coils smaller than 3.5 mm

Specifications

304 SS

Diameter:24 mm

Capacity:3.5 mL

Height:48.5 mm

Delrin Top Cap And Drip Tip

Peek Insulator

Borosilicate Glass Tube

Elegant Hollowed-out Logo

Easy to wick and refill

The Augvape Merlin RDTA is a 24mm RDTA that does exceptional in the flavor department. It has a large, two-post deck so it can fit coils with an inner diameter larger than 3.5mm. The Merlin RDTA gives you the option of pulling the top cap off, or unscrewing the whole top portion.

The most unique feature is the Augvape Merlin RDTA’s self-sealing design. It uses a sealing rod which is connected to the top piece, which seals off the device when it is closed. You will get little to no leakage, provided that you use a generous amount of cotton in its large juice wells, despite that it uses a bottom-airflow system.

The Augvape Merlin RDTA is for flavor chasers who want something classy, but built like a tank.

Price

$34.99

Geekvape Medusa RDTA

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Pros

Unique aesthetic

Great flavor

Locking mechanism

Large posts/Solid screws

Well machined

Cons

Short drip tip

Threading on mouthpiece isn’t great

Won’t fit all 510 drip tips

Specifications

Type: Rebuildable Atomizer

Material: Acrylic

Stainless Steel

Tank Capacity: 3.0 mL

Thread: 510

Overall Diameter: 25 mm

The Medusa RDTA by Geekvape is more deceiving than the goddess herself. When you first look at her, she looks like a dripper, but is actually an RDTA. Instead of having a glass tank, the Medusa utilizes a large reservoir, underneath the deck, that can hold up to 3 mL of juice.

The Geekvape Medusa RDTA is 25 mm in diameter and features side airflow control. It’s low profile design gives it a unique aesthetic, and helps to condense the vapor which contributes to its great flavor. Other notable features include a velocity style deck with huge post holes and a locking mechanism that holds your top cap in place.

Think of the GeekVape Medusa RDTA as an RDA on steroids, that can hold a boat load of juice, making it their most innovative and best RDTA since the Avocado…

Price

~ $20

Bombertech Pindad Driptank RDTA

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Pros

Smooth airflow

Great flavor/vapor production

Nice throat hit

Easy to fill

Includes squonking pin

Locking top cap

Single coil option

Gold plated contacts

Cons

Not ideal for MTL vaping

Plastic tank

Specifications

Weight: 80 g

Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 3.5 cm

Color: black

steel

ultemate

The Bombertech Driptank aka the Pindad is a 22 mm RDTA with features that make it stand out from the many other RDTA’s out there. For example, it has a liquid injection fill port that is a breeze to use and comes squonk-ready, so there are two different ways to fill the 2 mL tank.

The gold-plated velocity style deck with large post holes makes for easy building. The top cap is secured by a unique locking mechanism. The Bombertech Driptank is a flavor machine for lovers of rebuildable dripping tank atomizers, whether they want to build single or dual coils.

Price

$55

iJoy RDTA Box Mini

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Pros

Great flavor

Super portable

100W of power

Temp control

Micro-USB charging

6 mL capacity

Can be used with any atomizer

Updated fill port

Cons

Not enough battery life for high-wattage vaping

Pre-built coils may need to be re-wicked

Drip tip may get hot when chain vaping

Specifications

Model: RDTA Box MINI 100W

Material: Stainless Steel

Zinc Alloy

Mod Type: Temperature Control Mod

VV/VW Mod

APV Mod Wattage Range: 51-100W

APV Mod Wattage: 100W

Temperature Control Range: 200 – 600 Deg.F

Battery Capacity: 2600mAh

Connection Threading of Battery: 510

Tank Capacity: 6.0 mL

Atomizer Resistance: 0.25 ohm

The iJoy Limitless RDTA was one of the first to bring RDTA’s to the mainstream. iJoy has taken that a couple steps further with the new RDTA Box Mini in terms of mass appeal. It comes with premade, disposable coil heads, and a separate velocity style deck to build your own coils on.

The iJoy RDTA Box Mini also gives you the option of using your own atomizer with the mod. It has a built in 2600mAh lipo battery and is capable of reaching up to 100W. The RDTA Box Mini is an all-in-one solution for vapers who want an ergonomic, portable device with great flavor.

Note: The atomizer on the RDTA Box Mini is essentially a miniature version of the original iJoy RDTA. Both of them are based on the iJoy Classic and some of the best RDTA vapes around.

Price

~ $60

SMOK Skyhook RDTA Box

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Pros

9 mL capacity

Good flavor

Single coil option

Multiple airflow options

Accurate wattage output

Temperature control

Improved fill port (from original Skyhook RDTA)

Cons

Not compatible with other 510 atomizers

Threading could be better

Tank is made of plastic

Specifications

All-In-One Design

Dimensions: 129 mm by 50 mm by 9 mm

9 mL Built-in Skyhook RDTA Tank

Dual High-Amp 18650 Batteries – Sold Separately

Wattage Output Range: 6-220W

Voltage Output Range: 0.35-8V

Min Atomizer Resistance: 0.06ohm

Temperature Range: 200-600F

Supports Ni200 Nickel / Titanium and Stainless Steel Heating Elements

Premium Stainless Steel Construction

Enlarged 0.96 Inch OLED Display Matrix – Highly Intuitive

Stealth Firing Bar Mechanism – Stunning Colors

Ergonomically Placed Adjustment Buttons

Micro USB Port

Available in Silver / Black / Blue / Red / Gold / White

9 mL Juice Capacity

Superior Stainless Steel Construction

Pyrex Glass Reinforcement

Enlarged 23.2 mm Build Deck

Floating Velocity-Style Design – Two-Post Dual Terminal

2.5 mm Diameter Terminal Posts

Single Coil or Dual Coil Build Configurations

Convenient Side-Fill Port

Multiple Airflow System

Bottom-Middle Slotted Airflow Tube Sleeve

Middle Slotted Airflow Tube Sleeve

Delrin Wide bore Drip Tip

SMOK released their take on the RDTA box in the form of the Skyhook. Aesthetically speaking, it looks like their popular Alien mod, with an atomizer slapped on top. It holds 9 mL of juice and is meant to be used as a powerful duo. The Skyhook mod also has temp control capabilities.

The SMOK Skyhook RDTA has a floating velocity style deck and it is 23 mm in diameter. It also allows for both dual and single coil builds (using a plug), in addition to having multiple airflow options. The Skyhook takes two 18650 batteries and is capable of firing up to 220W.

The “alien’s cloud machine” gives the full-sized iJoy RDTA Box a run for its money, making it one of the best RDTA vapes out there right now.

Price

~ $45

Cthulhu Mods Gaia RDTA

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Pros

Great flavor

Bottom and side airflow

Well machined

No frills design

Velocity-style deck

Squonking pin included

Ultem drip tip

Cons

No single coil option

Harder to fill with dropper

2 mL capacity

Tank may get hot

Specifications

24 mm Diameter

2 mL Juice Reservoir

Superior Stainless Steel Construction

Pyrex Glass Reinforcement

Spacious Flavor-Orientated Chamber

Two-Post

Dual Terminal – Side-Secured

PEEK Insulator

Four Wicking Port

Dual Adjustable Bottom Airslots

Dual Adjustable Side Airslots

Central Filling Port – Exposed via Removing Top Cap

Flavor Widebore Drip Tip

510 Squonk-Ready Pin – Optional

510 Connection

When Cthulu Mods developed the Gaia, their goal was to achieve the best RDTA atomizer that strikes a perfect balance between clouds and flavor. Using both side and bottom airflow, the Gaia RDTA can be adjusted to your vaping style. The kit includes an extra 510 squonking pin.

The Gaia has a velocity-style deck, in addition to a velocity-style side airflow system which you turn to achieve your preferred airflow setting. It’s 24 mm in diameter and holds 2 mL of e-liquid. Last but not least, the Gaia has four large wicking ports, and a fill port right in the center of the deck which is very easy to use.

Price

$34.95

CoilArt Mage Combo RDTA

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Pros

Multiple build deck options

Swappable deck posts

Converts to an RDA

Well machined

Multiple airflow options

Cons

No single coil option

Minor leaking

Performs better as a dripper

Specifications

24 mm Diameter

4 mL Juice Capacity

High-Quality 304 Stainless Steel Construction

Food-Grade Pyrex Glass Reinforcement

24K Gold-Plated Apparatus

Interchangeable Building Posts

Two-Post w/ Clamp Mechanism Deck

Two-Post

Dual Terminals Deck – Velocity-Style

PEEK Insulator

Capable of Transforming into RDA

Removable Threaded Tank Section

Signature Side-Fill Method – Large 9 mm by 3 mm Port

Four Air slots Located on Each Side – Adjustable Knurled Top Cap

Sloped Delrin Drip Tip

Gold-Plated 510 Connection

The Mage RTA is already known as one of the best flavor RTA’s, now CoilArt has set out to create not one of the best RDTA atomizers, but one that can also be used as a dripper. The Coil Art Mage Combo RDTA comes with multiple deck options in addition to swappable deck posts.

This RDTA gives you multiple airflow options, including both bottom and side airflow. The deck has gold plated posts and the overall diameter of the atomizer is 24 mm. The deck has a unique spring loaded clamp system for your builds. Using a side port fill system, the Coil Art Mage Combo can hold up to 4 mL of juice.

Price

$33.95

Conclusion

Now that you have seen some of the best RDTA vapes and have a basic understanding of how they work, we want to know what you think. Do rebuildable dripping tank atomizers really give you the “best of both” worlds? Technically speaking, they do, what was your experience like?

Leave a comment about what you think about RDTA’s. Which one is your favorite right now?

“While there is disagreement about whether certain tobacco products should be regulated or not, there should be agreement that new regulations should apply to products moving forward, and not retroactively,” said Cole. “Inconsistent authority like this will be detrimental and unfair to many manufacturers and businesses. This legislation preserves the FDA’s ability to regulate these products on part with cigarettes, grandfathers currently available products and then requires the FDA’s approval before any new product is introduced.”

See the entire press release HERE.

The VTA goes on to further explain what this means:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Vapor Technology Association (VTA) issued the following
statement in support of bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Tom Cole (ROK)
and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) that would modify the predicate date for e-cigarettes and
provide much needed regulation of vapor products as the technology that they are rather
than the tobacco products that they are not.